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| Sgt Unterseher served in the 741st Tank Battalion. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/105215739/john-unterseher#view-photo=85296306 https://www.pinterest.com/pin/674273375430159624/?lp=true
UPDATED 8/3/2018
John Unterseher never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom. |
He was born on June 30, 1918 in North Dakota. His parents Albert and Katherina were both born in German speaking Russia and came to America in 1910. His father worked as a farmer and later as a construction worker. John had two older brothers, two older sisters, two younger brothers, and one younger sister. By 1940 John had completed eight years of schooling and was working as a laborer.
He was drafted into the army on January 10, 1942. He became a sergeant in the HQ Company, 741st Tank Battalion. Sgt. Unterseher landed on Omaha Beach on D-Day, June 6. His unit was equipped with amphibious Sherman tanks. The 741st TB supported the 2nd Infantry Division as it broke out of Normandy. It marched in the liberation parade of Paris.
The 2nd Infantry and the attached 741st TB were deployed on the north end of where the Germans attacked during the Battle of the Bulge. Despite being outnumbered and outclassed by better German tanks, the 741st was able to delay the German advance in time for more troops to get to the front and turn back the Germans.
John Unterseher died in Elsenborn along with three other men. An enemy artillery shell killed them on December 21, 1944. One man died on the spot, and the other three died shortly thereafter at the 2nd Division Clearing Station. Two other men were less severely wounded and sent to the 2nd Evacuation Hospital.
Waimes was never “overran” by the Germans on December 21, 1944. Only a small detachment of KG Peiper passed through the undefended town on December 17 and didn’t stop. The following day, the 634th TD Battalion and the 1st Cavalry Reconnaissance Troop established defensive positions at Waimes, and the town remained in American hands for the remainder of the Bulge.
His grave is at Peace Lutheran Cemetery in Dunn Center, North Dakota.
Last year on this date I profiled B-29 bombardier Francis Meredith who served in China. You can read about Francis here.
On behalf of the fallen, if you would like to see more people become aware of this project to honor the WW2 fallen, be sure to share with others on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Thanks for your interest!
I created this video to explain why I started this project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXt8QA481lY.
Please consider joining the public Facebook group to increase the exposure of this project. Go to: WW2 Fallen 100
I came across your post by accident and the reading left me speechless.
ReplyDeleteI do not know where you picked up the information or what type of sources you use but the Bulge part of the story is complete fantasy.
John Unterseher died in Elsenborn along with three other men. An enemy artillery shell killed them on December 21, 1944. One man died on the spot, and the other three died shortly thereafter at the 2nd Division Clearing Station. Two other men were less severely wounded and sent to the 2nd Evacuation Hospital.
Waimes was never “overran” by the Germans on December 21, 1944. Only a small detachment of KG Peiper passed through the undefended town on December 17 and didn’t stop. The following day, the 634th TD Battalion and the 1st Cavalry Reconnaissance Troop established defensive positions at Waimes, and the town remained in American hands for the remainder of the Bulge.
For some reason, my name appear as "unknown". I don't hide behind a fancy name and my name is JP Speder.
ReplyDeleteThanks for adding this information. I will update the profile so the information is correct.
ReplyDelete